Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Māori Language Week (14-20 September 2025). This milestone is a chance to acknowledge the vital contribution Māori make to the red meat sector and to share recent updates from our Māori Agribusiness team.
B+LNZ’s Māori Agribusiness team has been working hard to build stronger relationships with Māori farmers, landowners, and governance groups.
Charles Taituha, B+LNZ’s Māori Agribusiness Lead, says Māori agribusiness represents a significant and growing part of the red meat sector. “It’s important that B+LNZ delivers real value to Māori levy payers, who often have unique characteristics in their farming operations, including collective ownership structures and varying levels of land development.”
He adds, “We’re increasing our tailored events and support for Whenua Māori, ensuring our work reflects the needs and aspirations of Māori farming communities.”
Māori Agribusiness highlights
B+LNZ’s Kāhui
B+LNZ has formed its first Kāhui (Māori agribusiness advisory group) to represent the needs of Whenua Māori entities. The Kāhui provides advice and feedback on B+LNZ’s policies and extension work, ensuring Māori sheep, beef, and dairy farmers are well-represented.
Māori representation at governance
Hazel Cairns-Willemsen has served as an Associate Director at B+LNZ, bringing a decade of governance experience in Māori agribusiness. Her term ends in November, and her leadership has helped strengthen farm profitability, environmental sustainability, and financial management.
B+LNZ also welcomes Warrick Tauwhare-George as a new Independent Director. His deep governance experience and Te Ao Māori worldview bring valuable insights to the sector. His strategic approach will help guide B+LNZ’s work toward sustainable outcomes.
Whenua Māori Hub Farms
The Whenua Māori Hub Farm programme is underway at Tutumatai Station, with a successful field day recently held. B+LNZ is also working to establish another Hub Farm near Taumarunui.
Celebrating excellence in Māori farming
We congratulate Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, winners of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy, and Coby Warmington, recipient of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award. Read more about the Ahuwhenua winners.
We also acknowledge Tawapata South Māori Incorporation – Onenui Station – as a finalist, in this article.
B+LNZ continues its partnership with the Ahuwhenua Trophy, supporting excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming.
Using Bella in te reo
Bella is a new Beef + Lamb Assistant, powered by AI, that fetches verified answers straight from B+LNZ’s Knowledge Hub to your complex questions.
She can provide information in a range of languages, including Te Reo Māori. Ask you question in te Reo Māori at www.AskBella.co.nz.
About Māori Language Week
Learn more about Māori Language Week and access resources on the official website.